Signature-feeding mechanism



Jan. 18, 1927. 4,715

M. CHRISTENSEN I SIGNATURE FEEDING MECHANISM Filed Jan. 2, 1926 l NVEN TOR.

BY V

ATTORNEY.

Patented Jan. 18, 1927.

TED STATE-S MARTIN CHRISTENSEN, F ELMHURST, ILLTNGIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE CHRISTENSEN MACHINE COMPANY, 02! RACINLE, WIBC ONSIN. A GORPUR-ATION '"OF WISCONSIN.

SIGNATURE-FEEDING IMEEHLAEISM.

Application filed January 2, 1996. Serial Rn. Z8327.

The invention relates to book-stitching machines, and more particularly to the mechanism for feeding the groups of signatures forming the book past the stitching mechanism and to the delivery mechanism.

.One object of .the invention .is to provide a feeding mechanism of the character described in which a plurality of springpressed fingers on an endless conveyor cooperate with a movable backing means to positively move the groups of collected signatures past :th stitching mechanism.

Another object of the invention is to provide .a feeding mechanism of the character described in which a plurality of springpressed fingers on .an endless conveyor :cooperate with movable .parts of the signaturesupporting means and associated with an endless conveyor to positively move the groups of collected signatures past the stitching mechanism.

The invention further consists in the several features hereinafter set forth and .more particularly defined by claims at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is .a View taken through a portion of the stitching section of .a. book-stitching machine, showing the feeding mechanism embodying the invention, parts being shown in section, as taken along the line 11 of Fig. 2;

2 is a detail sectional view taken on the line 22 of 'Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a detail elevation view of part of the feeding mechanism.

Fig. 4 is a detail view of the mechanism for intermittently feeding the finger-carry- 1ng conveyor.

The groups of collected signatures which have been previously alined are fed over an inverted V-shaped saddle 4 and while passing therealong are secured together b staples from the stitchers 5 cooperating with clincher mechanisms 6, but as the detailed construction of the stitching mechanism is of known form further description thereof is deemed unnecessary.

The signature-feeding carryin the books or along t e saddle 4 in of the machine, includes an endless conveyor 7 running over sprockets 8, one of which is suitably power-driven, with its upper run moving in a channel-guide 9 and its lower run moving in a similar guide 10, said mechanism, for groups of signatures the stitching section guides being respectively carried by brackets 11 and 12 secured to the frame 13-of vthe machine.

The conveyor .7 includes the usual chainlinks 14 and 14 but at intervals pairs of U-shaped links 15 are provided and each set of these links is .apertured to receive a finger or .pin 16 that is normally springpressed toward the saddle by a spring 18 interposed between the outer link :of the pair and a pin or stop '19 on the pin 16.

A :backing means cooperating with the fingers 16 is associated with the saddle .and includes an endless conveyor 20 havingsaddle or plate portions 21 secured to adjacent links ofachain '22. The upper run of chain 22 moves in a recess 23 in the saddle frame 24 and said chain runs over sprockets 25 and .26, one of which is driven at .the same speed as the conveyor 7.

As the portions 21 face the pins 16, a group of signatures 27 will be clamped between .a part .of the conveyor 20 and .one or more of the pins with .the result that the movements of both conveyors 7 and 10 will positively carry .the group of signatures to, past, and away from the stitching .mechanism.

To :control the action of the pins 16, cam means :are provided associated with heads 28 on said pins. As shown, this .cam means .is in the form of a plate 29 which .has a recessed portion 30 adjacent the upper run of the conveyor and an inwardly extending cam portion 31 at the delivery end of the conveyor, and the remainder of the plate acts as a retainer to engage the heads 28 and thereby hold the pins 16 outwardly from the time they nass the portion 31 until they reach the forward end 32 of the recess 30. Thus, as the pins 16 travel with the conveyor 7, and when their heads pass the end 32, said pins are released so that their springs are free to move them toward the saddle into engagement with the groups of signatures, and after being stitched the pins are automatically successively disengaged by the heads coming into contact with the cam portion 31 which causes an outward or release movement of the pins and thereafter said pins are held in release position by the plate 29 until again passing along the recessed portion or head-releasing portion of said plate.

' The sprocket 26 and the sprocket 8 adjacent thereto are mounted on a shaft 33 which is given a step-by-step rotation by means of a ratchet wheel 34: on said shaft engaged by an oscillating pawl 35 which is carried by an oscillating arm 36 connected by a connecting rod 37 with a continuously driven veyors, and that they are gripped between the pins 16 and the adjacent conveyor while being stitched.

I desire'it to be understood that this invention is not to be limited to any particular form or arrangement of parts except in so far as such limitations are included in the appended claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a book-stitching machine, signature feeding mechanism comprising a pair of endless conveyors, and releasable means mounted on one of said conveyors for holding the signatures clamped to the other conveyor.

2. In a book-stitching machine, signaturefeeding mechanism comprising a pair of endless conveyors, and spring-pressed lingers mounted on one of said conveyors for holding the groups of signatures clamped to the other conveyor.

3. In a book-stitching machine, signaturefeeding mechanism comprising a pair of endless conveyors, spring-pressed fingers mounted on one of said conveyors for holding the groups of signatures clamped to the other conveyor, and means for releasing said fingers from the groups of signatures.

l. In a hook-stitching machine, signaturefeeding mechanism comprising a pair of endless conveyors, spring-pressed fingers mounted on one of said conveyors for holding the groups of signatures clamped to the other conveyor, and cam means engageable with said fingers for releasing them from the groups of signatures.

5. In a book-stitching machine, signaturefeeding mechanism comprising a pair of endless conveyors, spaced spring-fingers carried by the linksof one of said conveyors for holding the groups of signatures clamped to the other conveyor, guide means for the upper and lower run of said fingercarryinej conveyor, means for holding the lingers in retracted position prior to their engagement with the groups of signatures, and cam means for retracting said fingers from clamping engagement with the signatures.

6. In a book-stitching machine, the com hination with a signature-supporting saddle having a movable feed portion forming a run of an endless conveyor, of another conveyor provided with devices for engaging and holding said signatures against the movable feed portion of said saddle.

7. In a book-stitching machine, signaturefeeding mechanism comprising a pair of endless conveyors, means for imparting a step-by-step advance of both of said conveyors, signature-engaging devices carried by one of said conveyors and holding the signatures clamped to the other conveyor, and means for releasing said devices from the groups of signatures.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature.

MARTIN CHRISTENSEN. 

